Exhibition drill
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A drill team that is affiliated with the military or is made up of post high school civilians will sometimes perform exhibition drill. Exhibition drill is a modified routine that involves complex marching sequences that usually deviate from standard drill. Exhibition drill is normally performed at by the United States Armed Forces Drill Teams, the service academies, ROTC and JROTC drill teams that perform at parades, drill meets, and half-time shows and other public venues.
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[edit] Unarmed
In an unarmed division, exhibition drill may consist of intricate precision marching, along with various hand movements. Modified step team routines may be used, but participants should remember that often during competition, exhibition drill is evaluated by military judges.
[edit] Armed
In an armed division, exhibition drill normally involves spinning or tossing of the weapons (rifles, or sabres). JROTC and ROTC units will always use demilitarized weapons. The process of demilitarizing a weapon involves welding a lead tube through the barrel of the rifle and adopting some measure that interferes with the operation of the action to ensure that live rounds are not fired. Drill teams may also attach bayonets to their rifles.
[edit] Exhibition drill in competition
Exhibition drill is one of many different drill phases that are a part of a drill meet. Other phases include inspection drill, and regulation drill.
Rules and guidelines
Rules of exhibition drill during competitions vary, but most of them apply the following guidelines:
Time - There is usually a minimum and maximum time a routine may take. Points are deducted if a team is under or over time.
Boundaries - Teams should be aware of their boundary lines, and if necessary, alter their routines as to not cross the boundary lines. Points are deducted if a person crosses a boundary line.
Some high-school level competitions will also prevent cadets who are participating in armed drill events from performing more dangerous 'over the head' spins, in the interest of safety.
Scoring
Exhibition drill is scored on the basis of difficulty and overall precision. A typical exhibition score sheet will have a space where the judge can score an aspect of the routine and add his or her comments. Aspects that may be scored include:
Floor coverage: Routine effectively uses the majority of the drill area.
Originality - Routine independent and creative display.
Difficulty - Routine looks as if it required lots of practice.
Precision - Routine appears to be "exact".
Variety - Routine contains many different types of marching sequences and displays.
Showmanship - Routine is performed with effort, enthusiasm, and snap.
Bearing - Team members perform the routine with military bearing.
Weapon handling (armed) - Team members manipulate their weapons smoothly with pride and precision.
Exhibition drill, as a part of a competition, is usually meant to be the fun and entertaining part of a drill meet where teams can show off their routines.
[edit] Outside the United States
In the United Kingdom, probably the best-known exhibition drill unit is the Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF Regiment, the ceremonial unit of the Royal Air Force, which holds the world record for the most drill movements performed without a word of command. British drill displays very rarely include the fast manipulation and throwing of weapons that is common within the United States. This is because most British drill organizations only carry out standard drill movements, as opposed to inventing specific display movements that are only of use for exhibition purposes; they also use newer, standard issue, weapons that have a mounted magazine, thus making aforementioned manipulation and throwing of weapons impractical and dangerous.[citation needed]
The Norwegian Army has a slient drill platoon in the Kings Guard, preforming in foreign tattoos like Edinburgh and Halifax.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- RAF Regiment Queen's Colour Squadron
- United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
- 3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
- Parade (military)
- Foot drill
